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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.